Factors Influencing Participation in Physical Activity

PE Unit 2 AOS 2

Factors

• Demographics• Social• Environmental

What are the influences?

• Individual attitudes• Childhood (5-12 years)• Adolescence (12-18

years)• Adulthood• Older adults• Gender

• Socioeconomic class• Ethnicity• Parents• Schools/workplaces• Peers• The media• Physical environment

Individual Attitudes

• As you grow up you go through different phases of development.– Different commitments– Developing identity– Influenced by different

groups and ideas– Attitude

• All of these things will shape a persons attitude towards PA

Childhood

• Children experiment with PA in the forms of play, modified games and competitive activities

• They learn the basic skills required to be successful in future PA pursuits.

Adolescence

• Experiences for boys and girls differ greatly at this state of development

• Both groups experience intense physical development, as well as identity and personality

• The experiences gained during adolescence can shape PA attitudes and behaviours

Adults

• PA for adults is based on priorities and motivations, and a result of lifestyle and experiences gained during adolescence.

• Opportunities are based on time available, money, study and the influence of peer groups

Older Adults

• Time available greatly increases

• However, money, health, peer groups and mobility are factors that will limit or increase participation in PA

Gender

• Historically, females had less access and fewer opportunities to participate in PA

• Often they were not encouraged to be active by family, schools or the community

Gender

• Social attitudes have changed gradually, and females are encouraged to participate in most forms of PA

• Coverage of women’s sports in the media has helped to provide role models and opportunities for goal setting and aspirations.

Socioeconomic Class

• Opportunities and access to PA are often dictated by available money, time, facilities and equipment.

• Concider sports such as snow-sports, sailing and other motorised water sports, polo and other horse-based sports.

Ethnicity

• Australia is a multicultural society with an eclectic mix of ethnic groups.

• A person’s access to activities and the variety of activities available often differ according to the country the person lives in or where they’re from.

Parents

• Parents are a major influence on children's attitudes to PA

• They can encourage participation by showing interest

• Parental support is critical (money, transport, coaching, role-models)

• Research tells us that if a parent is physically active, the child is more likely to be active as well.

School/Workplaces

• Schools provide meaningful PE and Sport programs

• 7-10 students are mandated to participate in at least 100-minutes of PE and 100-minutes of Sport per week

• Primary age students are required to participate in at least 3-hours per week

School/Workplaces

• Employers recognise the benefits of having a healthy workforce

• The are consistently developing new strategies to get they employees more physically active:– Providing gym

memberships– Bike racks– Showers at work

Peers

• Your friends (usually have the same interested and of a similar age)

• A peer group’s favorable attitude towards participation in PA will have a strong influence on individual members of the group

• Negative attitudes are equally as powerful

The Media

• The media plays a significant role in influencing people to participate in PA in various forms:– Exposure of activities

(sport, comps, venues)– Promoting role models– Promoting lifestyle

campaigns– Encouraging greater

female participation

Physical Environment

• Research has shown that the characteristics of a neighborhood can influence a person’s participation in PA

• Access to facilities• Proximity to facilities• Safety of facilities and

nearby surroundings• Environmental changes

(speed-zones, street lights, speed-humps, footpath and bike-path/road separation)